garder une poire pour la soif

ByFast French

The French phrase “garder une poire pour la soif” means “to keep a pear for thirst” in English. It is a saying used to talk about saving something for the future.

Long ago, people used to carry a pear with them when they traveled or faced uncertain times. The pear was chosen because it could provide moisture and help with thirst. By keeping a pear for later, people made sure they had something to rely on if they became thirsty.

When someone says they are “garder une poire pour la soif,” they mean they are saving or setting aside something for when they might need it later. It’s about being prepared and thinking ahead. It could mean saving money, gathering resources, or making arrangements to avoid difficulties in the future.

This expression dates from the end of the 16th century and was first cited by Antoine Oudin in 1640.

In English, we have a similar saying: “to save something for a rainy day.” This means to keep something aside for when you might need it in the future. It’s about being prepared and thinking ahead, just like “garder une poire pour la soif” in French.

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • verb: se plaindre

    ByFast French

    “Se plaindre” means “to complain,” “to whinge” or “to moan.” Conjugations in Present Tense and Passé Composé: Present tense: Passé composé tense: Etymology: The origin of “se plaindre” can be traced back to Latin, where the root “plangere” meant “to lament” or “to beat one’s chest.” Idiomatic Expressions and Usage:

  • ralentir

    ByFast French

    The French verbs “alentir” and “ralentir” are related to the adjective “lent,” which means “slow.” The two verbs both mean “to slow down.” “Alentir” is only used in literature (or in Québec) these days, while “ralentir” is in common usage. Meanings and Usage: Conjugation in the Present Tense: Conjugation in the Passé Composé: Etymology: Both…

  • échantillon

    ByFast French

    The French word “un échantillon,” means “a sample.” Meanings of “Échantillon” Examples of Use Etymology: The Old French term “eschantillon” is the origin of the modern French word “échantillon.” The old French word dates back to 1260 in the earliest record of its usage. It comes from the Latin vulgate word “scandiculum” meaning “scale,” “gauge”…

  • g pronunciation

    ByFast French

    The letter “g” can be pronounced in two different ways in French. It can be hard, like the first “g” in the word “garage,” which is both a French word and an English word. Or it can be soft, like the last “g” in “garage.” How do you know whether a “g” will be hard…